Abstract: A safety system for a vehicle, which has a chassis with two parallel spaced-apart horizontal legs, and an axle assembly for each wheel, includes a suspension assembly with at least one cylinder, and an air piston reciprocally movable in the cylinder, the cylinder pivotably connected to the chassis and the air piston connected to one of the axle assemblies. The cylinder is formed with at least one air excape opening. A valve is provided for selectively opening and closing the air escape opening so as to permit or arrest the air piston arrestor in the cylinder, and to maintain it in a relatively rigid, non-compressible state when the air escape opening is closed. A resilient spring biases the valve to the open position, and means are provided for activating the valve.

Abstract: There is provided a passenger restraint safety system for a passenger type automobile having a chassis, a passenger seat and a door providing access to said passenger seat. The seat is mounted for free unrestrained forward movement on a track system which includes locking means to maintain said seat in a predetermined position. Forward of said seat is a safety cushion contoured to the body of a passenger in the seated position. Release means, which are activated by a collision of said automobile with another object, release the locking means positioning said seat allowing the seat to move forward thereby restraining the passenger between said seat and said safety cushion. To allow the passenger easy access to the interior of the automobile and to be seated therein, provision is made to collapse the safety cushion when the door is opened.

Abstract: A safety system for a vehicle having a chassis, including two parallel spaced-apart legs and an axle assembly for each of the wheels, includes a suspension assembly including an air piston arrestor pivotably coupled between the chassis and one of the axle assemblies, a device for arresting the air piston arrestor in a relatively rigid, non-compressible state, an electromechanical device for activating the arresting device and a retractable bumper assembly.

Abstract: A safety system for a vehicle having a chassis, including two parallel spaced-apart legs and an axle assembly for each of the wheels, includes a suspension assembly including an air piston arrestor pivotably coupled between the chassis and one of the axle assemblies, a device for arresting the air piston arrestor in a relatively rigid, non-compressible state, and an electromechanical device for activating the arresting device.

Abstract: An anti-nose-dive safety system, for a vehicle having a chassis and a pair of front and axle assemblies, includes a bumper assembly having a frame pivotably mounted on the chassis adjacent to the front end thereof, and a retractable bumper slidably mounted on the frame for movement between a normal, extended position and a retracted position, and a front end suspension assembly including an air piston arrestor pivotably coupled between each of the front end axle assemblies and the bumper assembly frame. Apparatus are coupled to the bumper assembly and chassis for raising the front end of the chassis in response to movement of the bumper from its normal position to its retracted position and apparatus are provided for arresting the air piston arrestors in a relatively rigid non-compressible state also in response to the retraction of the bumper. The safety system is especially suitable for compact cars.